Health

5 Women Get Surprisingly Frank About Why They Stopped Dieting

Heed their caution

by Lindsay Tigar | COMMENT

PHOTO 4/6

"A trip to the ER changed my mind." A few years ago, independent design and brand consultant Brianna Brailey developed a habit of tracking calories. She started with the app MyFitnessPal and then decided to take on the challenge of Whole30, a month-long clean-eating program that restricts the consumption of certain foods. Her goals was to lose ten pounds, but in the process, she says she lost her grip, too.

"When my husband and I did Whole30, my thoughts were entirely consumed by food. The food I could eat, things I was craving, worrying about whether or not there would be something for me to eat at an event. It was endless. I couldn't talk about anything else. I was annoying myself and driving my coworkers and friends crazy too. Now I realize this was because I was starving myself," she said. When a nasty strep infection sent her to the emergency room, she realized that her health was too important to risk. "I had been a casual runner before going on the diet, but while I was on, it was hard to work out because I had no energy. Since that time, I amped up the running and ran several half marathons and a 76-mile relay race. I've also accepted that your body changes when you get older. I'm not going to be as skinny as I was in high school or early college, and that is OK. If I'm healthy, that's what's most important," she added.

Image via Brianna Brailey

SEE NEXT PAGE: "I quit smoking."

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